Circuit-breaker.



c. H. MILLER. CIRCUIT BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 1'7, 1906.

I 1,1 12,639, 4 Patented Oct. 6, 1914.

was filed May 26. 1905, Serial CHARLES H. MILLER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER- HAMMER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF 1/iILWAUKEE,' WISCONSIN, A CORPO- RATION OF WISCONSIN.

. CIRCUIT-BREAKER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Continuation of application SerialNo. 262,407, filed May 26, 1905.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914. This application filed April 17, 1906.

.Serial No. 312,179.

To all whom it may concern llo it known that I, CHARLES H. MILLER,-

a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and iitatc of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Breakers, of which the following is a full, clear, concisc, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in circuit breakers.

The particular form of breaker to which my inventionespecially applies is preferably provided with an elcctromaghetic winding. which serves to set the breaker and then keep it closed while normal c0nditions prevail.

According to the preferred form of my invention, I provide"aif'o'i'rload switch which controls the circuit of thes'etting winding. The overload switch is preferably provided with an actuating Winding and a maintaining winding. In order to set or close the circuit breaker, I close the circuit of the so ting-winding. When an overload occurs, the actuating winding preferably opens the overload switch. The se-tting'winding is thus dctincrgizcd, and. in consequence, the breaker is opened. The retaining Winding serves to keep the overload switch open so that the breaker cannot be rose-tor closed while an overload exists. In order to place the circuit breakers in condition to be reset after the"ccuditiims become normal, I cause the retaining magnetto be deiinergized so that the overload switch will be closed.

It will, of course. be understood that the wforth for carrying out the preferred form of my invention, may be changed without departing from what I claim as new. Furthermore, it will be understood that certain features of my invention may be used in various relations.

So far as certain features of my invention are concerned. the present application is a continuation of niv application which In order to explain my invcntion.'I have assumed the apparatus which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

The circuit breaker is preferably provided 'cuit which the breaker controls.

and means which Iparticularly set with a solenoid or other switch, which is provided with a movable contact 1 adapted to engage stationary contacts 2 and 3. It will be understood that instead of the solenoid switch, the breaker may be provided with other means which will serve the purpose. The movable contact is preferably. adapted to be brought into engagement with the stationaly contacts by means of a setting electro-magnetic winding 4. The circuit of the setting winding is preferably controlled by an overload switch 5 and a pilot switch 6, which nected by a conductor '7. The setting winding is preferably arranged across the cir- It will be understood'that the overload switch may be arranged in circuit in various Ways to control the energization of the setting winding. For the purpose of operating the over load switch, I preferably provide an actuating winding or overload coil 8 and a retaining or maintaining winding 9. The actuating winding is preferably arranged in circuit in series with the main switch contact. The retaining winding is preferably arrangcdin circuitin parallel with the overload switch 5 and the setting winding 4. Inasmuch as it is some times impractical to make the re aining winding 9 of suliiciently high resistance, I preferably place a resistance 10 in series therewith. The actuating winding 8 and the retaining winding 9 are preferably adapted to attract a plunger 11 which carries a pin 12. lVhen the plunger is elevated the pin 12 engages the over-load switch to open the same.

' In order to explain the operation of my invention, I have shown the circuit breaker as arranged in circuit with a motor and a motor controller. The motor may be providcd with an armature l3 and a field 14. The motor controller may be provided with a contact arm 15 adapted to vary a resistance 16. The circuit breaker may be atrangcd at any suitable place in the circuit which is to be controlled. The pilot switch may be a rra ngcd at the circuit breaker. In practice, the pilot switch and the motor controller may be arranged upon the same switch board, the motor and the circuit breaker being ar ranged at other places. Inasmuch as I re are preferably conquire merely one conductor between the .pilot switch and the breaker, I facilitate the arrangement of the pilot switch at a distant point from the breaker.

In order to set' the circuit breaker, I-close the pilot switch.v The circuit which will thus be -closed extendsfrom the positive line 17 winding 4, overload through contact 2, switch 5, conductor 7, pilot switch 6 and conductor 18 to negative line 19. I thus energiz'e the setting winding 4, and, in consequence, the movable contactl will be brought into 'engagement with the stationary coni tacts 2 and 3, thereby setting or closing the circuit breaker. If the'motor controller be actuated to start the motor, the motor circuit will be closed from the positive line 17 through contacts 2, 1 and 3, overload coil' 8,

- "conductor 20, arm 15, resistance 16, conduc- "thereby raising tor 21, armature 13 and field 14 to the negativeline 19. v I 1' Whenever an overload occurs, the actuating winding or overload coil 8 will respond, the plunger 11 to open'the overload switch 5. x The setting winding will thus be deenergized, and, in consequence,

the main contact 1 willleave the stationary contacts 2 and 3, thereby opening the circuit breaker to protect the circuit and the motor.

It' will be noted that the retaining winding 9 is connected between the stationary contact 2 and the conductor 7 in parallel with the overload switch 5. It will therefore remain energized, thereby keeping the overload switch open.-

'In' order to place the circuit breaker in condition to be reset, I open the pilot switch 6. Inasmuch as I thus'deenergize the retainin'g winding 9, the plunger 11 will be released, and, in consequence, the overload switch 5 will be closed. j

If an'attempt be made to set the breaker while'an overload exists, the overload coil will. instantly open the overload switch,

, ingis' ener ized.

the illustrative thereby deenergizing the setting winding. The retaining winding will then keep the overload switch open so long as said wind- It' will e understood that my circuit breaker may be arranged in circuit in difierent relations andthat it may be used with various apparatus. Furthermore, it will be understood that changes may be made in. device shown in the drawing without in any way departing from my invention as defined by the claims appended hereto,

3 Having thus described my invention what jI'claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. In a circuit breaker, in combination, an

electroresponsive' switch, an electroresponslve devloe responsive to overloads to deenergize said switch, said device tending to automatically return to normalposition upon matic return of said device.

' said magnet to open said breaker,

cessation of overloads to again energize said switch and means insuring against the auto- 2; In combination, a 'circuit oontroller having an overload winding for efiecting operation thereof, said controller after operation tending to automatically return to normal position, and manually controlled electrical means preventing such automatic return of said controller;

3. In a circuit breaker, in combination, an electroresponsive switch, an overload device responsive to deenergize said switch and tending-to automatically move to again energize said switch uponcessation of overloads,

a manual control switch and means insuring.

against said automatic movement of said w overload device and necessitating operation of said control switch-to reset said electroresponsive switch.

4. In combination, an electroresp'onsive circuit controller, an overload device controlling the same,-said device having-an opcrating winding responsive to overloads and a retaining winding effective after cessation of overloads, and common means for'controlling at will said electroresponsive circuit controller and for deenergizing said retain-- ing Winding.

5. In a circuit breaker,--in combination, a

winding for setting said breaker, an overload magnet having an overload coil and retaining means eliective after cessation of overloads, means adapted to be actuated by and means adapted to control said breaker from a distant point at will. I

. 6. In combination, an electromagnetically operated switch, an electromagnetically operated and retained overload device for deenergizingsaid switch, and a controlling switch, said overload device, when responding, being adaptedv to maintain said electro magnetically operated switch dee'nergized,

until said controlling switch is operated.

, 7. In a circuit breaker, in combination, a winding for setting said breaker, an overload switch for controlling the energization of said winding, an overload coil for actuating said switch to deenergize said winding, a winding for preventing said overload switch from being returned to its nor-.

deenergize said windin combination, a

winding for setting said circuit breaker and maintaining the same closed, an overload switch for controlling the energization of said winding, an overload coil for actuating said overload switch to deenergize said winding, and a retaining winding for said overload switch energized independently of the circuit breaker. i 10. In a circuit breaker, in combination, a winding for setting said circuit breaker, an overload switch for controlling the energizatlon of said winding, an overload coil for actuating said overload switch to deenergize said winding, a retaining magnet for said overload switch energized independsetting said *circuit breaker, an overload.

switch for controlling the energization 'of said winding, an overload coil for actuatingsaid switch to 'deenergize said W1ILCl1Ilg,' a

retaining winding for holding said overload switch, after it is-actuated bysa'id overload coil, said retaining winding being in circuit inparallelswitch, and aswiteh for cuit of said setting winding.

In a ci'rcuit breaker, in combination, a winding for setting the same, an overload switch arranged in. circuit of said winding, an overload coil for opening said overload switch to open the breaker, a" retaining winding adapted to keep said overload a rranged 1th said overload 'switch open and arranged in circuit in-parallellwith said overload switch, and a pilot switch for controlling the circuit of both said setting winding and said retaining winding.

14;-In acircuit breaker, in combination,

a winding adapted to set said breaker and arranged across the l1ne,-an 0verload' switch arranged in the circuit of said winding, an

overload coil adapted to open said switch, and a winding. adapted to hold said overload switch after it is opened circuit-in parallel with said setting winding.

15. In a circuit breaker, in combination, a winding adapted to setsaid breaker and arranged across the line, an overload switch arranged in the circuitof said-winding, an

overload coil adaptedto open said switch, a

retaining winding adapted-to hold said overadapted to close main switch, an adapted to close said switch, an overload switch controlling controlling the cii i and arranged in load switch after it is opened and arranged in circuit in parallel with said setting wind ing, and a pilot switch for controlling the circuit of both said setting winding and said retaining winding.

16. In a circuit breaker, an electromagnetic winding for setting the same, an ovvrload magnet having an overload coil and a retaining winding etlective'alter cessation of overloads, means arranged to control the energization of said setting winding and adapted to be actuated by said overload magnet, and means for controlling said fast mentioned winding at will from a distant point.

17. In combination, a switch, a winding said switch, an overload magnet having am owerload coil and a retaining winding effective after cessation of overloads, and means adapted to be actuated by said magnet to open said switch, and means. for controlling said switch at will from a distant point.

18. In combination, an elcctroresponsive switch, an overload device for deenergizing said switch, said overload device having an actuating coil and a retaining coil, the latter coil retaining said device in the position to which it is moved by the former coil and a single pole switch for controlling said clec trcresponsive switch and said retaining coil to energize and deenergize said clectroresponsive switch at will.

breaker, in combination, a electro-magneiic winding 19. In a circuit the circuit of said wind mg, an overload magnet-provided with an overload coil and a retaining winding and adapted to actuate said overload sivitch, said retaining winding being arranged in parallel with said overload switch, and means for controlling at will the circuits of both said setting winding and aid retaining winding.

20. The combination with a solenoid switch,

.of an overload magnet controlling the cir cuit through the winding thereof, comprising a winding adapted to be operatively en;

ergized by an excessive flow of ourrent, a

plunger operated by said winding, and

means controllable at will for retaining saidplunger in a raised position for an indefinite period after 1t has once been raised by said overload winding.

21. The combination with a solenoid switch,

of a switch controlling the circuit through the winding thereof, an overload magnet for operating said switch, comprising a winding adapted to be operatively energized by an excessive flow of current, a plunger operated by said winding, and a second winding controllable at will for retaining said plunger in its raised positionfor an indefinite period when it has once been raised by said overload winding.

22 The combination with a solenoid switch, of means for opening and closing the circuit through the winding thereof, an overload an excessive for retaining said plunger ing through the winding thereof, a second switch 'for controlling the circuit through the winding of said solenoid switch, an overload magnet for operating said switch comprising a winding adapted to be operatively energized by an excessive flow of current, a plunger operated by said winding,

in: its raised posi- "tion until said means for opening and closthe circuit through the winding of said solenoid switch has been operated to open the circuit therethrough.

v 24. The combination with a solenoid switch,

of an overload magnet for controlling the circuit therethrough, comprising a winding adapted to be operatively a second winding excessive flow of current, a plunger operated by said winding, retaining said plunger in its raised position when it has been raised by said overload winding, and means for opening and closing the circuit through said retaining winding, and through the winding of said solenoid switch. l r

25. The combination with a solenoid switch,

energized by an and. a second wmding for of an overload magnet for controlling the Y circuit through the winding thereof, comprising a winding adapted to be operatively energized by an excessive flow of current, a plunger operated by said winding, 21 second winding for retaining said plunger in its raised position when it has. been raised by said overload winding, and means for controlling the circuit through said retaining winding.

i In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesseS.

" Witnesses:

HENRY J. Wmoann, VVALTER E. SARGENT.

CHARLES MILLER. 

